West London Scouts preparing for Jamboree in Japan

Thirty-six Scouts from the organisations Greater London Middlesex West district are holding team-building weekends to prepare themselves for the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015

SCOUTS from across West London have been learning to say ‘Konnichiwa’ and cooking Asian cuisine in preparation for the World Scout Jamboree in 2015.

The teenagers undertook activities at a team-building weekend camp to begin becoming accustom to life away from home in Japan for three weeks next year to attend the annual gathering of Scouts that attracts 30,000 youngsters.

Charlie Combes, 15, said: “Scouting gives me the chance to go across the globe to countries I’ve never been to before, and be at the Jamboree with Scouts from all around the world and do some amazing activities together.”

Owen Lloyd Jones, 14, said: “The Jamboree is a great way to make new friends from different countries, and see how they live their lives and do Scouting.”

Of the 36 Scouts from the organisation’s Greater London Middlesex West district who are going to the city of Yamaguchi in south-west Japan, 12 from Harrow, 11 from Ealing, five from Brent, four from Hounslow, three from Hillingdon, and one from Westminster.

During a series of team-building meeting to be held over the next year, they will learning about Japan, its people, culture, language and food - including mastering chopsticks - in readiness for the event, at which they will be sharing their knowledge and experiences with compatriots from all corners of the globe to promote greater international understanding.

Thirty-six Scouts from the organisations Greater London Middlesex West district are holding team-building weekends to prepare themselves for the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015

They will be arranging fundraising activities to earn the £3,000 each needed to cover the cost of the trip and to contribute to a solidarity fund to enable Scouts from the developing world to attend the Jamboree.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said “I am sure that all the Scouts from West London meeting up this weekend will be super excited about the journey they are starting on.

“This will end up in Japan in 2015 at the World Scout Jamboree, which will such a life-changing experience, and I wish them all the scouting best!

“I also know that during the Jamboree they will be immersed in many different cultures and customs that will change and inspire how they see the world around them - and that is always a humbling journey to be part of.”

The Jamboree is timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the United States’ atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, between which Yamaguchi is situated, and memorial events are planned as part of the programme.

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